Host guide
How to host a Swing Left organizing event
Thank you for hosting an organizing event with Swing Left! When we organize, we win. Together, we can engage our communities to defeat the anti-democratic movement within the Republican party, dismantle the GOP's advantage in key swing states, and restore Democratic power at the federal level.
At this virtual or in-person event, you’ll introduce your group members to Swing Left’s strategy, get to know each other, and take or commit to future action. This style of event is perfect for:
Brand new Swing Left group leaders getting your members and prospective members together for the first time.
Existing grassroots groups that want to join the Swing Left community of 300+ local groups across the country working to win elections for the Left.
Experienced Swing Left groups that want to bring in new members and/or give volunteers a refresher on Swing Left’s latest strategy can adapt this event to your needs.
We know this is likely your first event with Swing Left! Your staff contacts are here to support you through the planning process to make sure you have everything you need to make the event a success for you and your volunteers. You can always reach our support team at host@swingleft.org.
Event goals
Kick off your group’s organizing with Swing Left! Whether you’re a brand new group or you’re engaging with Swing Left for the first time, your volunteers will leave this meeting excited about Swing Left’s long term strategy and how your group fits in.
Build relationships. Provide an opportunity for your group members to connect (or reconnect!) with each other.
Commit to taking action together. Close the event either by taking one small action or planning your next move as a group. Aim to have each volunteer officially sign up for your group and/or your next event.
Getting started
If you haven’t already, register your group on Swing Left’s Group Builder tool. This is a great way to list your group on swingleft.org, maintain your volunteer list, send emails, and track event attendance. Check out the Group Builder guide and reach out to host@swingleft.org to set up a quick tutorial.
Enlist others to help you host. Hold a planning meeting with anyone who will be involved in executing the event. Create an agenda using our sample slides, and discuss what your goals are. Assign roles so that everyone knows what they are responsible for leading up to and during the event.
Post your event on Mobilize (check out this Mobilize guide!):
Follow this link to post your event on Mobilize, or use this link if your group is part of Swing Left’s College Program.
Customize the event description and email templates with information specific to your group/event.
Once you post your event, Mobilize will give you a registration link that you can share with invitees.
Recruit your existing volunteers and/or prospective volunteers to join your event. Send out the Mobilize registration link, and encourage attendees to invite other folks in their network who might be interested in getting involved. This recruitment guide can help.
Preparing to host
Gather your materials. For in-person events, print a sign-in sheet or pull up the event sign-in on your Group Builder page on a laptop/tablet by the entrance. Get snacks or beverages if you’d like, and gather supplies like name tags, pens, etc.
Prepare your space. Test your virtual platform like Zoom if you plan to host virtually, or arrange any furniture and test the wifi and technology if you plan to host in-person.
Confirm your volunteers will attend. Call or send reminder emails/texts to everyone who signed up on Mobilize. Mobilize will automatically send them reminders as well, but adding a personal touch can decrease last-minute cancellations!
Hosting your event
Review these sample slides and the speaker instructions/notes beneath each slide. Make a copy of the presentation so you can make edits. Remember, you know your audience best. Pick and choose what makes the most sense for your event, and customize the slides accordingly.
Agenda at a glance
Welcome and introductions
About Swing Left
Swing Left's strategy and tactics
Our group's goals and plans
Next steps
Go a step further
Depending on your group’s situation, you might choose to add one of the following activities toward the end of your event. We’ve included suggestions in the sample slides, and you can delete the ones you won't use.
Build relationships and discover shared values through a personal storytelling activity
Uncover what strengths and superpowers your group members can bring to your upcoming plans
Recruit more members with relational organizing
Hosting tips
Be inclusive and connect with attendees. Greet each person when they arrive and sign them in. Creating real connections is the most important step towards building a strong team, so take the time at your event to get to know each other, to create a sense of shared purpose, and to build community. If your event is virtual, consider breakout rooms or other opportunities to allow participants to connect.
Delegate tasks to other people. Having a role in the event increases the likelihood that people will show up. For example, ask for volunteers to bring a snack, or ask someone to lead a section of the agenda so you’re not the only one speaking.
Stay on schedule. Start on time and follow your event agenda. It’s fine to keep questions and answers short so that you keep moving and don’t keep people too late.
Get specific commitments for upcoming activities. Make a hard ask for your upcoming events and make sure people sign up before they leave, and ask attendees to commit to taking action with your group.
Be positive and constructive. Keep the tone upbeat—this is an exciting, fun, and participatory event!
Show everyone what volunteering with Swing Left looks like! Share a group photo, video, or anecdote from your event on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook (or all three!). Tag @swingleft and use the hashtag #swingleft so that we can repost your content.
After your event
Update your attendance on Mobilize. This will allow you to keep track of your volunteers and their contact information, and it will automatically sync with your Group Builder page.
Post your next planned event on Mobilize. Doing this immediately allows you to include a link to the event in your follow-up email.
Send a thank you email or text message to all attendees after the event. Recap the plan and goals you developed, any relevant resources, and ask them to continue taking action by signing up for your next event.
Let the Swing Left team know how it went! Send our team a quick email at host@swingleft.org recapping how the event went, and share what your group will be working on in the future. This way, we can have the best understanding of how we can support you and your volunteers.
Additional Resources
Post your organizing event on Mobilize
Post your organizing event on Mobilize (College Program)
Guide: How to post your event on Mobilize
Guide: How to register your group on Group Builder
Sample slide presentation (make a copy to customize!)
Get support from a Swing Left organizer
Questions? Email us at host@swingleft.org.
